Mourinho ready for challenge of managing Manchester United

Manchester United's new manager Jose Mourinho poses for pictures during a media conference at Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester, Britain, 05 July 2016.

Photograph: EPA/NIGEL RODDIS

Jose Mourinho says he is more than ready for the pressure that comes with being Manchester United manager.

Speaking for the first time since being hired in late May, the Portuguese embraced the challenge of leading one of the world's biggest clubs.

"It's a job everyone wants and not many have, and I have it," he told a news conference on Tuesday.

"This challenge doesn't make me nervous, it comes in the right moment for my career.

"I am where I want to be. I want to be in this club, this country, in the Premier League."

The former Chelsea manager replaces Louis van Gaal, who was dismissed after winning the FA Cup.

United finished fifth last season to miss out on the Champions League, a fact Mourinho said left him "frustrated."

"Manchester United is a Champions League club," he said.

"In July 2017 instead of waiting for the Europa League play-offs, we have to make sure that this club is where it has to be and that's the Champions League."

Getting back into the Champions League isn't the only goal the three-time Premier League winner has set for the season.

"It would be quite pragmatic to say let's work and let's try to be back to the Champions League, be back to the top four,” he said.

“I am not good on that and I didn't want to be good on that. I am more aggressive. I want everything.

“I want to win matches, I want to play well, I don't want to concede goals."

Mourinho isn't the only new manager in Manchester next season after rivals City hired Pep Guardiola.

The two have a fierce rivalry from their days in Spain but Mourinho downplayed it.

“To speak about one manager, one club and I don’t like the word, but one enemy, is not right,” he said.

“One thing is that you are in a competition like I was in Spain when it is a two horse race. In Italy it was three teams.

“But in the Premier League it doesn’t make sense at all.

“If you focus on one team or one opponent then the other ones will be laughing so I won’t be a part of it.

“I am Manchester United manager with respect for all the other clubs in the country."

That doesn't mean the self-professed "Special One" is mellowing.

When asked if he had a point to prove after being sacked by Chelsea last season, Mourinho seemed to take a veiled jab at long-time rival Arsene Wenger, who last led Arsenal to the league title in 2004.

"Some managers, the last time they won a title was 10 years ago," he said. "Some of them never.

"The last time I won a title was a year ago. So if I have a lot to prove, imagine the others.

"The reality is it was never important for me. I play against myself.

"I have to prove not to the others but to myself - that's my nature. I would never be able to work without success."

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